Imagine you and a friend are arguing over a slice of pizza, one wants anchovies and the other wants pineapple. The argument gets heated until a compromise is reached - half of the pizza will have anchovies and half will have pineapple. This is much like the situation America faced in 1850, but instead of pizza toppings, the debate was over the much serious issue of slavery.
After the Mexican-American War, America gained new territories. This raised a burning question: would slavery be allowed in these new areas? The North said no, while the South said yes.
This led to the Compromise of 1850, a set of five laws passed to keep the balance between the slave states in the South and free states in the North. Henry Clay, known as the 'Great Compromiser', and Stephen A. Douglas played significant roles in passing these laws.
California was admitted as a free state, while in New Mexico and Utah, the people could decide for themselves. The slave trade was banned in Washington D.C., but a stricter Fugitive Slave Act was put in place.
These laws did not please everyone, but they did keep the country together for a bit longer. So, the next time you find yourself in a disagreement, remember: compromises, like the one in 1850, are not perfect but they might just be the solution to keep the peace.